Find Books That Mesh With Your Kids' Interests

Books to Borrow, Books to Buy

July 03, 2001|By KENDAL RAUTZHAN Columnist

Some children are eager to read all sorts of books. Even though they may have preferences for some types of books over others, these kids are interested in just about anything that comes down the pike. Choosing books for this group is a snap.

There are, of course, children who are more discriminating in what they like to read. There may be an insatiable interest in dinosaur books, for example, but no tolerance for fantasy. Finding books for this group may present a greater challenge, but your local library and bookstore usually can accommodate the preference.

Occasionally a child has such a limited interest in subject matter that it may appear as though there is no interest in books whatsoever. Don't give up. Somewhere there are books that will trigger this child's hot button. You just have to try a little harder and dig a little deeper to find the right combination.

One way to help determine what kinds of books would be of interest is to ask your child to tell you a story where he or she is the central character. If your child has difficulty putting the story together, ask questions. "Where do you live? What does it look like? Are there animals? Is it a happy place? What do you do in the story? Do you have adventures? What sort of adventures?"

Depending on the age of the child, the story might be a jumble of facts, but if you listen to what is being described, chances are your child will be describing the very kind of book that would be of interest to sit down and read together.

With that in mind, take a look at the books reviewed below. Perhaps they might be of real interest to your child. These are, however, just a minute example of what's available at your library and bookstore. Every effort we make to help children develop a love of reading is worth it.

BOOKS TO BORROW

The following book is available to borrow from many public libraries.

"The Forgotten Door" by Alexander Key, Westminster Press, 126 pages

Read aloud: age 8 and older.

Read yourself: age 9 and older.

"It happened so quickly, so unexpectedly, that Little Jon's cry was almost instantly cut short as the blackness closed over him. No one knew the hole was there. It hadn't been there the day before, and in the twilight no one had noticed it."

Having fallen through the Door that had been there for so long, Little Jon finds himself in a mossy cave, sore and badly bruised. He is unable to remember much of anything. While his surroundings are familiar in one sense, they are also very strange. It soon becomes apparent that Little Jon is in our world, yet comes from another.

Little Jon encounters other things that are alien to him as well, such as hatred, greed, selfishness, and the ever-present struggle for power.

Befriended by a family of good people who are determined to help Little Jon find his way back home, their mission is dramatically hindered by several evil people who have plans of their own for the stranger.

Suspenseful from start to finish and full of adventure, magic, and interesting parallels and messages, this futuristic book is certain to be remembered long after the last page is read.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Middlesex County Public Library, Grace at Park Street, Urbanna

Library director: Sherry B. Inabinet

Choices this week: "Grandpa's Mountain" by Carolyn Reeder; "Anne of Green Gables" by L. M. Montgomery; "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Lord

BOOKS TO BUY

The following books are available to buy from your favorite bookstore.

Join this busy family as they explore the great outdoors. From early morning, snuggled in sleeping bags and tents, there is much to do and experience as a camper.

Canoeing, chopping wood, fishing, picking wild berries, hiking and observing wildlife, and swimming in the chilly lake. As the sun sets, it's time to cook dinner over the campfire, and later, roast marshmallows and tell stories.

Through simple text and beautiful illustrations, this book is perfect for those who love to camp and those who dream about camping some day.

Going to the beach means digging in the sand, making a giant castle, collecting shells, putting seaweed in your hair, splashing in the ocean, and jumping the waves. What could be more fun? Meeting a new friend to share the day's adventures, that's what!

Through happy, rhyming text and cheerful illustrations, young children will love spending a day at the beach with this girl and boy as they discover the joys of the sand, sun and ocean.